CLEANING SYSTEM

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus is provided, including a mounting shaft, a base member and a nozzle. The handle includes a connection end, and defines an axis. The base member includes a cleaning portion and a suction portion, where the cleaning portion includes at least one cleaning surface and the suction portion includes at least one suctioning device. A rotation point rotatably joins the connection end of the mounting shaft to the base member, where the base member is rotatable about the axis at the rotation point. The nozzle selectively dispenses a fluid, where the nozzle is positioned in relation to the base member such that at least a portion of the fluid is suctioned by the suctioning device in the base member.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cleaning system, and in particular to a cleaning apparatus including a nozzle that selectively dispenses a fluid.

BACKGROUND

There are several known cleaning systems available for washing floors. In one example, the cleaning system may include an integrated source of cleaning fluid and a disposable pad secured to a mop head. The cleaning fluid may be sprayed directly onto the floor and absorbed by the pad as a user wipes the mop head across the floor. However, this type of cleaning system is typically used to clean floors that are only lightly soiled. This is because the pad may not be absorbent enough to clean floors that are very dirty, and the pad may only remove a portion of the cleaner and dirt from the floor. In fact, the pad may even re-deposit at least some of the dirt and cleaner as the mop head is moved along the floor. Thus, in at least some instances this type of cleaning system might only create an illusion of a clean floor, while actually moving dirt about a surface during cleaning.

In another example, a cleaning system may include a mop head for cleaning, where a fluid such as wax, water, or cleaner may be manually applied to the floor. The mop head may be used to absorb and remove the fluid from the floor. The fluid may be applied by pouring the fluid onto the floor with a bucket. Alternatively, the fluid may be applied by immersing the mop head in fluid first and then wiping the mop head across the floor. The fluid is manually applied to the floor, and as a result using this type of cleaning system may be time-consuming and inconvenient. Also, because the fluid must be poured on the floor manually, either too much or too little fluid may be used. Moreover, the fluid may be unevenly spread about the floor, resulting in floors that may be streaked or still dirty after cleaning.

Therefore, there exists a need for a cleaning system that includes an integrated source of fluid for dispensing on a surface, while also including a device for effectively removing dirt and fluid from the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a cleaning system that selectively dispenses fluid on a surface to be cleaned;

FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of Region 1B in FIG. 1A where a base member of the cleaning system is positioned in a first cleaning position;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of the cleaning system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational perspective view of an electrified wand; and

FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram of a method of cleaning a floor using a cleaning system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the discussion that follows and also to the drawings, illustrative approaches to the disclosed systems and methods are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent some possible approaches, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated, removed, or partially sectioned to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. Further, the descriptions set forth herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limit or restrict the claims to the precise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description.

Moreover, a number of constants may be introduced in the discussion that follows. In some cases illustrative values of the constants are provided. In other cases, no specific values are given. The values of the constants will depend on characteristics of the associated hardware and the interrelationship of such characteristics with one another as well as environmental conditions and the operational conditions associated with the disclosed system.

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary cleaning system 20. Although FIG. 1A illustrates the cleaning system 20 as a type of mopping device typically used to clean a floor, it is understood that the cleaning system 20 may be any type of cleaning system used on any type of hard or generally non-porous surface. For example, the cleaning system 20 may also be used to clean a countertop.

The exemplary cleaning system 20 includes a mounting shaft 30, a reservoir 34, a base member 36, a nozzle 42 and a fluid 44. FIG. 1A illustrates the base member 36 of the cleaning system 20 as a mop head including a cleaning portion 38 and a suction portion 40. The cleaning portion 38 may include at least one cleaning surface 26 and the suction portion 40 may include at least one suction device 28 (illustrated in FIG. 1B). Although the base member 36 is illustrated as a mop head, it is understood that the base member 36 may be any member used to clean a generally non-porous surface, such as, for example, a bathtub or a countertop. The cleaning system 20 may be selectively connected to an electrified wand 50. The electrified wand 50 may further be attached to a handle 51 that includes a trigger 52 and a connecting end 54 (to be explained in further detail below).

The nozzle 42 is in fluid communication with the reservoir 34, where the nozzle 42 selectively dispenses the fluid 44 onto a surface to be cleaned. The suction portion 40 of the base member 36 removes at least a portion of the fluid 44 from the surface during operation. In one exemplary arrangement, a squeegee may be included for scraping the fluid 44 toward suction portion 40 before the fluid 44 is suctioned.

The fluid 44 may be sprayed on the floor in a generally uniform distribution by the nozzle 42. Spraying the fluid 44 by the nozzle 42 may be advantageous, because the fluid 44 may be distributed more evenly throughout the floor than if the fluid 44 were applied manually, such as, for example, by pouring the fluid on the floor with a bucket. Therefore, including the nozzle 42 with the cleaning system 20 may result in greater convenience, as amuser may not be required to manually apply fluid on the floor during cleaning. Moreover, applying the fluid 44 in a generally uniform distribution may provide several advantages. In one example, applying the fluid 44 may result in less streaking than when the fluid 44 is applied manually.

The connecting end 54 of the electrified wand 50 may be selectively attachable to a vacuum operated debris and waste collector (not shown). The debris and waste collector provides a vacuum force to the suction portion 40 of the base member 36 to remove the fluid 44 and debris from the floor. The debris and waste collector includes a receptacle for collecting contaminates as well as the fluid 44 suctioned from the floor. In one example, the connecting end 54 may be configured for threaded engagement with an attachment of the debris and waste collector, although other types of connection mechanisms are contemplated. The debris and waste collector may be any type of system used to remove contaminants from the environment. In one exemplary illustration, the waste and debris collector is a water based separation system, where a water tank is included for separating contaminates from air. An example of such a collector may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,350, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The mounting shaft 30 may also define an axis A-A that may be substantially linear and oriented in a generally longitudinal direction from the base member 36. However, it is understood that the mounting shaft 30 may be curved as well. The mounting shaft 30 includes a connection end 46. The connection end 46 of the mounting shaft 30 may be joined to a rotation point 48 located on the base member 36, such that the base member 36 may be rotatably joined to the mounting shaft by the rotation point 48. In one example, the base member 36 may be rotatable about the axis A-A at the rotation point 48 in both a clockwise direction D, as well as a counterclockwise direction D′. The base member 36 may be configured to be selectively removable at the rotation point 48, where the base member 36 may be interchangeable with another base member that may be used in conjunction with the cleaning system 20.

The reservoir 34 of the cleaning system 20 may be used to store the fluid 44. In one example the reservoir 34 may be secured to the mounting shaft 30 through a retaining device 58. The retaining device 58 may be a sleeve, where the reservoir 34 is received within and is selectively and removably secured by the retaining device 58. The reservoir 34 is positioned within retaining device 58 such that reservoir 34 is configured to be in fluid communication with the nozzle 42, where the nozzle 42 sprays the fluid 44 onto a surface 60.

The fluid 44 may be any type of fluid that is appropriate for use on the surface 60, such as, but not limited to, a cleaner, a deodorizer, a wax or an insect repellant. In one exemplary illustration, if the surface 60 is constructed from wood, then the fluid 44 may be a fluid that is appropriate for cleaning or polishing hardwood floors. In another example, the fluid 44 may also be a deodorizer, where the deodorizer may at least partially remove unwanted odors from a surface. In yet another exemplary illustration, the fluid 44 may be a type of insect repellent or spray, such as, for example, a cockroach repellant, that may be applied to the floor for repelling cockroaches or other types of unwanted insects.

The fluid 44 may be selectively dispensed from the nozzle 42 as desired by a user, where the fluid 44 may be sprayed on the surface 60 when a user depresses the trigger 52. In one exemplary configuration, as the trigger 52 is depressed the fluid 44 in the reservoir 34 is fluidly communicated to the nozzle 42. The nozzle 42 distributes the fluid 44 in a generally uniform pattern along the surface 60. In one example, the fluid 44 may be dispensed from the nozzle 42 as a mist. The nozzle 42 may be positioned along the cleaning system 20 in relation to the base member 36 such that at least a portion of the fluid 44 that is sprayed on the surface 60 may be suctioned by the suction device 28. In particular, the nozzle 42 may be located behind the base member 36, however it is understood that the nozzle 42 may also be located in front of or to the side of the base member 36 as well. In one example, the nozzle 42 selectively sprays the fluid 44 onto the surface 60 as the cleaning portion 38 of the base member 36 makes contact with the surface 60. In particular, a user may depress the trigger 52 to cause the nozzle 42 to spray the fluid 44 on the surface 60 as the cleaning surface 26 of the base member 36 contacts the surface 60. However, it is understood that a user may also depress the trigger 52 to spray the fluid 44 from the nozzle 42 as the suction portion 40 contacts the surface 60 as well.

The base member 36 may include a first cleaning position and a second cleaning position, where the base member 36 may be pivotable about the axis A-A between the first position and the second position. Turning now to FIG. 1B, the base member 36 is in the first position, where the base member 36 is in communication with the surface 60 at the cleaning portion 38, and the cleaning surface 26 may contact the surface 60. As the cleaning portion 38 selectively makes contact with the surface 60, the fluid 44 may be sprayed on the surface 60 by depressing the trigger 52 (illustrated in FIG. 1A).

After cleaning the surface 60 with the cleaning surface 26, the base member 36 may then be pivoted about the axis A-A to the second position, which is illustrated in FIG. 1A. In FIG. 1A, the base member 36 is in communication with the surface 60 at the suction portion 40 of the base member 36. The suction portion 40 may be used to suction the fluid 44, as well as dirt, grime, or other types of contaminates from the surface 60.

The base member 36 may be selectively pivoted by a user between the first cleaning position and the second cleaning position. More particularly, a user may contact the base member 36 with the surface 60 or by the user's foot in an effort to pivot the base member 36 about the axis A-A between the different cleaning positions.

Allowing the base member 36 to pivot about axis A-A may be advantageous. This is because the base member 36 may be used to spread the fluid 44 about the surface 60, and then suction the fluid 44 from the surface 60. First, turning to FIG. 1B, the base member 36 may be used at the cleaning portion 26 to spread the fluid 44 about the surface 60. In addition, the cleaning portion 26 may also be used for at least partially removing contaminates from the surface 60. That is, the cleaning surface 26 may also be used to loosen embedded debris in the surface 60 in addition to spreading the fluid 44 about the surface 60.

The cleaning surface 26 may be used to loosen dirt trapped on the surface 60, such as, for example, dirt trapped in the grout of a tile floor. The cleaning surface 26 may be any surface that may remove contaminants from the surface 60, and in one example the cleaning surface 26 may be a sponge or a brush. The fluid 44 may be sprayed onto the surface 60 in an effort to loosen and break up the dirt trapped on the surface 60.

Once the surface 60 has been in contact with the cleaning portion 26, the base member 36 may oriented such that the suction portion 40 is positioned to be in selective contact with the surface 60. In one embodiment, the base member 36 may be rotated about one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) about the axis A-A to rotate the base member 36 from the cleaning portion 38 to the suction portion 40. In another embodiment, the base member 36 may be pivoted about axis A-A to move the base member 36 from the cleaning portion 38 to the suction portion 40. Turning to FIG. 1A, the suction portion 40 may be in selective contact with the surface 60 when in the second cleaning position.

The suction portion 40 of the base member 36 may be used to remove the fluid 44 and dirt from the surface 60. The suction portion 40 may include a squeegee 62 that is illustrated as a blade including an edge 64. In one illustration the squeegee 62 may be a flexible member constructed from materials such as, but not limited to, rubber. The squeegee 62 may be for drawing the fluid 44 off the surface 60. In particular, the squeegee 62 scrapes the fluid 44 from the surface 60 before the fluid 44 is sucked off the surface 60 by the suction device 28. The suction portion 40 may be used to remove substantially all of the fluid 44 sprayed on the surface 60 by the nozzle 42.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of the cleaning system 20, where the reservoir 34, the mounting shaft 30 and the base member 36 are sectioned. As seen in FIG. 2, when in an engaged position, the reservoir 34 is in fluid communication with the nozzle 42. More specifically, the reservoir 34 is fluidly connected to the nozzle 42 by a series of passageways 70 such that the fluid 44 may travel from the reservoir 34 to the nozzle 42 through the passageways 70. That is, as the trigger 52 (illustrated in FIG. 1) is depressed, wires (not shown) that are located in the mounting shaft 30 are electrified. The wires are in electrical communication with a pump 84 and provide the power necessary to operate the pump 84. The pump 84 is in fluid communication with the reservoir 34 and the nozzle 42. As the trigger 54 is depressed, the fluid 44 moves from the reservoir 34 through the passageways 70 through the pump 84, and to the nozzle 42.

The mounting shaft 30 may include a chamber 72, where the chamber 72 may be in fluid communication with the suction device 28 of the base member 36. That is, as the fluid 44 is suctioned through the suction device 28, the fluid 44 travels through the cleaning system 20 by way of the chamber 72. In the illustration shown in FIG. 2, the chamber 72 is generally cylindrical and generally conforms to the shape of the mounting shaft 30. However, it is understood that the chamber 72 may also include other configurations as well. For example, the chamber 72 may include a generally semi-circular cross-sectional area and may only conform to a portion of the mounting shaft 30.

The mounting shaft 30 may also include an attachment point 76, where the attachment point 76 is for attachment to the electrified wand 50 seen in FIG. 1. The attachment point 76 may include several alternative attachment features for securing the handle 30 to the electrified wand 50. In one example, the attachment point 76 may include several openings 78, where the openings 78 are configured for engagement with corresponding tabs that are located on the electrified wand 50. The chamber 72 of the mounting shaft 30 may be in fluid communication with the electrified wand 50, where the fluid 44 first travels through the suction device 28, through the chamber 72 of the mounting shaft 30, and to the electrified want 50.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the electrified wand 50. The electrified wand 50 includes a passageway 80, where the passageway 80 is in fluid communication with both the chamber 72 of the mounting shaft 30 and the waste and debris collector that collects the fluid 44 that is suctioned by the suction portion 40. The fluid 44 travels from the chamber 72 in the handle 30 through the passageway 80 in the electrified wand 50 and to the cleaning system. The electrified wand 50 may also include several alternative attachment features for securing the electrified wand 50 to the handle 30. In one example, the electrified wand 50 may include several tabs 82 that correspondingly engage with the openings 78 in the mounting shaft 30. Alternatively, the electrified wand 50 may include openings 82 instead of the tabs 82. The mounting shaft 30 may include tabs 78 instead of openings 78, where the tabs 78 engage with the openings 82 in the electrified wand 50.

Use of the cleaning system 20 will now be discussed and is illustrated generally in FIG. 4 as a process 400. Process 400 begins at step 402, where the surface 60 may be sprayed with the fluid 44 through the nozzle 42 located in the cleaning system 20. In one exemplary embodiment, a trigger 52 may be selectively depressed to dispense the fluid 44 from the nozzle 42 on the surface 60. As discussed above, the trigger 52 may be included with the electrified wand 50. However, it is understood that the trigger may be position in on locations, such as directly on mounting shaft 30 or on retaining device 58.

As discussed above, the nozzle 42 may be positioned along the cleaning system 20 in relation to the base member 36 such that at least a portion of the fluid 44 that is sprayed on the surface 60 may be suctioned by the suction device 28. The nozzle 42 may be positioned behind the base member 36, however it is understood that the nozzle 42 may also be positioned in front of or to the side of the base member 36 as well. As the trigger 52 is depressed, wires (not shown) that are located in the mounting shaft 30 are electrified. The wires are in electrical communication with the pump 84 and provide the power necessary to operate the pump 84. The pump 84 is in fluid communication with the reservoir 34 and the nozzle 42. The fluid 44 may be any type of fluid that is appropriate for use on the surface 60, such as, but not limited to, a cleaner, a deodorizer, a wax or an insect repellant. Process 400 may then proceed to step 404.

In step 404, the cleaning portion 38 may be placed in contact with the surface 60. In particular, the base member 36 of the cleaning portion 38 is placed in the first cleaning position, where the base member 36 is in communication with the surface 60 at the cleaning portion 38. The cleaning portion 38 may extract at least some of the contaminants located along the surface 60. As discussed above, the cleaning surface 26 may be any material for removing contaminants from the surface 60, such as, for example, a sponge or a brush. Process 400 may then proceed to step 406.

In step 406, the base member 36 may be rotated or pivoted about the rotation point 48 from the first cleaning position to the second cleaning position. In one example, the user may contact the base member 36 with the surface 60 or by the user's foot in an effort to swivel the base member 36 about the axis A-A. Process 400 may then proceed to step 408.

In step 408, the fluid 44 that is sprayed on the surface 60 may be scraped from the surface 60 by the squeegee 62, before being suctioned off the surface 60 by the suction device 28. More particularly, the fluid 44 sprayed on the surface 60 by the nozzle 42 of the cleaning system 20 may be scraped off the surface 60 by the squeegee 62 before being sucked up by the suction device 28. Process 400 may then proceed to step 410.

In step 410, the fluid 44 is suctioned from the surface 60 through the suction device 28 of the base member 36, when the base member 36 is in the second cleaning position. The suction portion 40 of the base member 36 may be used to remove the fluid 44, as well as contaminates or debris from the surface 60. The fluid 44 may be a cleaning fluid, where the fluid 44 may be sprayed onto the surface 60 in an effort to loosen and break up debris. In one example, the suction portion 40 may be used to remove substantially all of the fluid 44 sprayed on the surface 60 by the nozzle 42. Process 400 may then proceed to step 412.

In step 412, the fluid 44 suctioned by the suction device 28 may be communicated through the chamber 72 located in the mounting shaft 30. As discussed above, the chamber 72 may be in fluid communication with the suction device 28 of the base member 36. That is, as the fluid 44 is suctioned through the suction device 28, the fluid 44 travels through the cleaning system 20 by way of the chamber 72. Process 400 may then proceed to step 414.

In step 414, the fluid 44 may be communicated from the chamber 72 to the electrified wand 50, where the electrified wand 50 may be in fluid communication with a waste and debris collector that collects the fluid 44 suctioned by the suction device 28. The electrified wand 50 includes the passageway 80, where the passageway 80 is in fluid communication with both of the chamber 72 and the waste and debris collector that collects the fluid 44 that is suctioned by the suction portion 40. The fluid 44 travels from the chamber 72 in the mounting shaft 30 through the passageway 80 in the electrified wand 50 and to the waste and debris collector. Process 400 may then terminate.

The present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, which are merely illustrative of the best modes for carrying out the disclosure. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiments of the disclosure described herein may be employed in practicing the disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the following claims. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the disclosure and that the method and apparatus within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. This description of the disclosure should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.

Claims

1. A cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a mounting shaft including a connection end, the mounting shaft defining an axis;

a base member including a cleaning portion and a suction portion, the cleaning portion including at least one cleaning surface and the suction portion including at least one suctioning device;

a rotation point rotatably joining the connection end of the mounting shaft to the base member, the base member rotatable about the axis at the rotation point; and

a nozzle for selectively dispensing a fluid, where the nozzle is positioned in relation to the base member such that at least a portion of the fluid is suctioned by the suctioning device in the base member during operation of the cleaning apparatus;

wherein the base member is moveable about the axis.

2. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member is in communication with a surface at the cleaning portion of the base member when the cleaning apparatus is in a first cleaning position, and the base member is in communication with a surface at the suction portion of the base member when the cleaning apparatus is in a second cleaning position.

3. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a squeegee located along the suction portion of the base member, wherein the squeegee includes an edge for scraping the fluid from a surface before being suctioned by the suction portion.

4. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein a reservoir tank is attached to the cleaning apparatus, and the reservoir tank being configured so as to be in fluid communication with the nozzle.

5. The cleaning apparatus of claim 4, wherein the reservoir tank stores the fluid for selectively dispensing through the nozzle.

6. The cleaning apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a retaining device for selectively receiving the reservoir tank to selectively secure the reservoir tank to the cleaning apparatus.

7. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting shaft includes a chamber that is in fluid communication with the suction portion of the base member.

8. The cleaning apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an electrified wand, wherein the chamber of the mounting shaft is in fluid communication with the electrified wand.

9. The cleaning apparatus of claim 8, wherein the electrified wand is in fluid communication with a waste and debris collector that provides a vacuum source for collecting the fluid suctioned by the suction portion.

10. The cleaning apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a trigger for selectively dispensing the fluid from the nozzle, wherein the trigger is depressed to dispense the fluid.

11. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member is selectively detachable from the handle.

12. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning portion of the base member is one of a brush and a sponge.

13. A cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a mounting shaft including a connection end, the mounting shaft defining an axis;

a base member including a cleaning portion and a suction portion, the cleaning portion including at least one cleaning surface and the suction portion including at least one suctioning device;

a rotation point rotatably joining the connection end of the mounting shaft to the base member, where the base member is rotatable about the axis at the rotation point; and

a nozzle for selectively dispensing a fluid, where the nozzle is positioned in relation to the base member such that at least a portion of the fluid is suctioned by the suctioning device in the base member during operation of the cleaning apparatus;

wherein the base member is rotatable about the axis such that the base member is in communication with a surface at the cleaning portion of the base member when the cleaning apparatus is in a first cleaning position, and the base member is in communication with a surface at the suction portion of the base member when the cleaning apparatus is in a second cleaning position.

14. The cleaning apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a squeegee located along the suction portion of the base member, wherein the squeegee includes an edge for scraping the fluid from a surface before being suctioned by the suction portion.

15. The cleaning apparatus of claim 13, wherein a reservoir tank is attached to the cleaning apparatus, and the reservoir tank being in fluid communication with the nozzle.

16. The cleaning apparatus of claim 13, wherein the mounting shaft includes a chamber that is in fluid communication with the suction portion of the base member.

17. The cleaning apparatus of claim 16, further comprising an electrified wand, wherein the chamber of the mounting shaft is in fluid communication with the electrified wand.

18. The cleaning apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a trigger for dispensing the fluid from the nozzle, wherein the trigger is depressed to dispense the fluid.

19. A cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a mounting shaft including a connection end, the mounting shaft defining a handle axis;

a base member including a cleaning portion and a suction portion, the cleaning portion including at least one cleaning surface and the suction portion including at least one suctioning device and a squeegee;

a rotation point rotatably joining the connection end of the mounting shaft to the base member, where the base member is rotatable about the axis at the rotation point;

a nozzle for selectively dispensing a fluid, where the nozzle is positioned in relation to the base member such that at least a portion of the fluid is suctioned by the suctioning device in the base member during operation of the cleaning apparatus;

an edge included along the squeegee configured for scraping the fluid from a surface before being suctioned by the suction portion; and

a first cleaning position and a second cleaning position, the base member rotatable about the axis between the first position and the second position;

wherein the base member is in communication with a surface at the cleaning portion of the base member when the cleaning apparatus is in the first cleaning position, and the base member is in communication with a surface at the suction portion of the base member when the cleaning apparatus is in the second cleaning position.